political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Brian Hayes to Leave Radio 5 Live
I'm sad. I've just learnt that one of Britain's greatest radio broadcasters has been given the heave-ho from his show on Radio 5 Live. Brian Hayes, who has been with the station since its launch, has been sacked from his Friday late night slot and will be replaced by Northern Irish talk show host Stephen Nolan. Five Live say that the reason for the change is that the show ill now be broadcast from Manchester. Well if this really is the reason then they will be losing a lot of listeners. I used to be a regular on Brian's show before I became a parliamentary candidate and it was probably the show I most enjoyed. He's challenging and nobody's fool and I always felt I had to be really on my mettle with him. I hope another station picks him up because it would be a tragedy if he were lost to the nation's airwaves.
I agree. I was interviewed by him when I was a PPC last year. He is very sharp and very courteous. I have done a few programmes with Stehen Nolan - he is also very sharp but extremely adversarial.
ReplyDeleteMy only hope is that Brian is not persuaded to join Talk Sport!
Brian Hayes leaving is bad enough - but Stephen Nolan taking his place? Nolan is a talentless, obnoxious loudmouth who clearly sees himself as Northern Ireland's answer to Richard Littlejohn. I'll be amazed if he lasts more than a few months. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but believe me you'll find out for yourself soon enough.
ReplyDeleteIain - I agree he's very good, I go all the way back 30 years to the birth of LBC,when he did the live late night phone in show - when he really needed to be smart as there was a certain element of Brian-baiting, but he invariably emerged as the winner.It sounds as if there may be just a little more to this story than appears at first sight - I just hope he doesn't decide to return to his native OZ/NZ - I can't remember which.
ReplyDeleteThe radio 5 weekend slot has gone down hill since Edwina left. That blue peter man got there in the end. But he promptly left as soon as he became listenable.
ReplyDeleteStephen Nolan is awful. he already has two nights and to give him a third is very bad news indeed.
can you launch a campaign Ian? like the radio 4 long wave thingy?
What is it with the BBC? Radio Two is replacing the fantastic Johnnie Walker with that obnoxious, ginger t..t, Chris Evans. Radio Two listeners have protested en masse but to no avail. Well, I for one, will never tune into little creep - he's just so 90's - he makes my skin crawl.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all the compliments for Brian Hayes. He does seem to have been treated as perennial substitute by Radio 5 for as much as the last 10 years or so - anchored the morning phone-in as 'caretaker'-style host between the much-missed Diane Modill and the never-knowingly-neglected Nicky Campbell in the late-90s, as well as odd late-night phone-ins and media-related shows.
ReplyDeleteCould seem a little too Sam-the-Eagle-stern at first but about as experienced at these shows as anyone else in radio broadcasting these days. And always more interested in the discussion than his own part in it.
Couldn't stand Edwina's twittering, nor Richard Bacon's huffing and puffing, and at least Nolan has a bit of spiky savvy. Though sometimes tends towards the "It's time I shouted at a caller" mode so beloved of early-morning Radio 5-ers or BBC London-ers...
Would love to hear Diane Modill back, she had the perfect balance.
And just what disgraceful thing has Julian Worricker done to appal the powers-that-be there...?
Brian Hayes has a blog about his theatregoing experiences, which has just been substantially updated, at http://brian-hayes.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteBrian Hayes has just written a substantial update on his blog about theatregoing: http://brian-hayes.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete